Van level or tilted whilst stored

HillClimb
HillClimb Forum Participant Posts: 45
edited May 2017 in Storage #1

Obviously when you occupy your caravan on site, then you level the caravan both left to rights and front to back.

But what about when it is standing (in storage) between uses ?. Level or I'm wondering if a slight tilt would actually be better - I have noticed that water puddles a little on the roof when the caravan is in use when fully levelled. And to date, no problems with water ingress nor damp.

 

But the silicone seals/joints between the many roof penetrations and the skin of the roof have to withstand prolonged submergence. The rule of thumb for water run off for a patio is 1/4"drop per foot in length - so it seems to me that when storing the caravan then a 6" difference front to back or a few inches left to right would reduce puddling and may extend the life of the numerous roof seals.

Thoughts ?

Comments

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #2

    I store mine at home with a slight backward slope so that water doesn't pool on the roof. It is only slightly off level but is enough to shed water quite readily. During the winter, however, I put a greater slope on the 'van which seems better if it snows.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #3

    I always try for a slight slope to try and avoid rainwater pooling.

    David 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #4

    I've never really thought about this and to tell the truth I just don't know what slope the van has when stored. perhaps reading the above I should?

    The slope or 'pitch' that gets the hitch off the towball when unhitching is the one it stays at when stored. I can't imagine it's level though?

    Slightly off topic, is a nose down attitude better or not for the motor mover?

    Good thread this - perhaps better suited to the caravan and motor home chat section?

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #5

    I too store mine slightly rear down, stops pools of rain water forming on the roof!  Re question about motor mover, wouldn't have thought it makes any difference as the same weight has to be moved!

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited June 2017 #6

    So many caravans have flat roofs and sealed strips of alluminium. It seems to me to be a poor design.

     

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited June 2017 #7

    I have a drive which gives the caravan a slope towards the back and over to the offside. Where the majority of the water tips over from the roof at the back offside I have a homemade "watershoot" consisting of a 2 ft long piece of rubber 1 ft deep to which a piece of awning rail pipe is stuck then a piece of foam rubber stuck to the underside to keep it off the caravan side. Takes a minute to fit keeps 99% of the water running off the roof from running down the caravan side/sealant and never leaves a black mark!  Works far better than the yellow awning rail pipe sold in caravan accessory shops.

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